Father of Bray firefighter died in blaze in 2007

One of the fire officers who fought a blaze in a house in Bray this morning was Brian Murray, the son of one of two firefighters who lost their lives in a fire and explosion in the town exactly seven years ago.

A memorial service was under way in the Co Wicklow town as the blaze was been fought this morning.

Brian Murray Jnr was one of a number of firemen who arrived at the terraced house in Oldcourt Avenue shortly after 4.30am to battle the fire and two subsequent explosions which were heard by eye witnesses.

On September 27th, 2007 Brian Murray Snr (46) was killed alongside his colleague Mark O’Shaughnessy (26) when they were fighting a fire in a disused factory in the north Wicklow town.

Local councillor John Brady who had led a campaign to establish the chain of events which led to the 2007 fire lives in Oldcourt estate, and was on hand as emergency services tackled the blaze this morning.

“We had a commemorative mass this morning for the two fire officers who lost their lives, and it was ironic that Brian Murray’s son, now also a fireman, should have been involved in a fire on the same day.

Mr Brady said it was not known what had caused the explosions which could clearly be heard during this morning’s fire.